Bucs notes: Schiano high on Means' pass rush potential

TAMPA -
Bucs coach Greg Schiano admires passion in any player, so there's little mystery why he's so eager to begin working with Steven Means.Selected in the fifth round, Means registered 18.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss during his four years at Buffalo. Considered a tweener by some scouts at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Means already has been assigned a position in Tampa.“He's going to be a defensive end and he's going to have an opportunity to rush the passer,'' Schiano said Saturday when the NFL draft concluded.GM Mark Dominik said Means, who ran a 4.7 on his Pro Day, had a private workout with the Bucs, impressing the coaching staff.

“He might be a little bit off your radar, but he wasn't off of ours,” Dominik said. “We're very excited about him being a developing pass rusher. We think he has tremendous traits.”Means admits he's an angry young man when he crosses the sidelines.“I just don't like being touched,” he said. “I came up in an environment where it's not easy. I don't like anybody touching me and that's why I'm a decent pass rusher. I don't like offensive linemen, especially, touching me, so I want to get them off me as quick as possible. I love hitting the quarterback.”Means was asked whether he competes in a nasty mood.“Most definitely,” he said. “I'm definitely quick-tempered on the field. I get mad at somebody just lining up across from me, thinking they can block me.”Tick, tock The Bucs braintrust has overhauled Tampa Bay's roster in the past six weeks … now comes the hard part.“As is always the case, time is our enemy,” Schiano said, speaking three months before the Bucs report to training camp. “It's not the other 31 teams, it's the clock and how fast we can get these talented rookies ready to play. We have some newcomers that we've acquired through free agency that need to get on board with our schemes.“That's going to be the challenge. As Mark said, we're building it our way, building it with our kind of people and I'm excited. I know we've made ourselves better.”High compliment Sixth-round pick Mike James, a versatile back out of the University of Miami, reminds Dominik of one of his favorite Buccaneers.“What makes Mike so special is he can play on first, second, third and fourth down,” Dominik said. “He's very dependable, an Earnest Graham type of player. He can do a lot of different things.''Besides running for 1,386 yards during his 50-game career with the Hurricanes, James is a skilled receiver.“This is probably one of the best days of my life,'' said James, who played high school football at Ridge Community in Haines City. “It's a blessing. I'm one of the happiest men alive right now. I want to help this team score more points and win more games. Growing up in Polk County, I was only 40 minutes away from the stadium (Raymond James) and I went to a few Buc games. I'm happy to be home.”Local talent The Bucs confirmed that former Plant High QB Robert Marve, who played at Miami before transferring to Purdue, where he was plagued by knee injuries, will be in town this week for a tryout.